Chelsea unlikely to sign Josko Gvardiol in the near future. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Foot Mercato (via GetFrenchFootballNews) [h/t Football. London], Manchester City are set to enter talks with Chelsea and Manchester United target Josko Gvardiol following the Croatian’s impressive performances at the World Cup.
A case can be made for Gvardiol being the best defender in the World Cup until now and that is some compliment considering the sheer quality of names that are on display in Qatar. However, it is not an exaggeration considering how well the 20-year-old has played.
Gvardiol has already established himself as a mainstay in the backline and along with former Liverpool star Dejan Lovren, the duo have formed one of the best centre-back partnerships in the World Cup. It is not going to be long before the top clubs come for the Croatian.
The 20-year-old currently plays his football for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Although he has been having a very good time there, the German club might be tempted to sell him considering the interest he is garnering right now and they will demand huge money.
When the money involved is huge, it is a known fact that Manchester City could hold the advantage due to their superior financial pulling power compared to Chelsea and Manchester United. However, this cannot be the only deciding factor in negotiations.
The key thing is the sporting project and Gvardiol needs to be convinced of the club he is moving to. Chelsea will need to convince the Croatian that they can be the springboard to his stardom and that he will be an integral part of the team here.
Having spent extensively on the defence in the summer when they signed Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly, it remains to be seen if the Blues will actually splash the cash to reinforce a position they already have ammunition in.
That said, Gvardiol is one of those players who do not come around often. Considering the age of some of our defenders like Koulibaly, Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta, it will not come as a surprise if the Blues decide to go all out on a 20-year-old.
Gvardiol will be in action tonight when his team take on Argentina in the semifinals of the World Cup. Chelsea will be keeping a keen eye on him but they surely will not be alone.
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